The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has strongly rejected President John Dramani Mahama’s dismissal of calls for a targeted state of emergency in illegal mining, widely known as galamsey areas.
The very unhappy coalition insists that the crisis is now far worse than when he once supported such a measure.
A statement released by the coalition following the President’s “unpalatable” stance at the media encounter explained that before his election, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with civil society demanding a state of emergency to combat galamsey.
Yet today, despite escalating destruction, he now refuses to grant same, hence questioning his commitment to the course of fighting the menace.
Citing cases to justify why the state of emergency declaration is still urgent, the coalition narrated how the turbidity level of the water treated by the Kwanyarko Water Treatment Plant has risen to an alarming 32,000NTU.
“We disagree entirely with the President on the position of government regarding calls for a targeted state of emergency, as the circumstances that prevailed when he joined civil society to demand a state of emergency before his election as President have not improved; in fact, some of the indices have worsened,” parts of the statement remarked.
It added, “The MD of GWCL reported the turbidity of the water at the Kwanyarko Water Treatment Plant to have hit 32,000 NTU, and on the day the President was speaking, the Central Regional Minister had endorsed the closure of the plant.”
The coalition said this is proof that the environmental disaster is not only deepening but also directly threatening water security for thousands of households.
To this end, the group accused the government of failing the country, calling its handling of the crisis a national disappointment.
This government’s handling of the galamsey crisis is a disappointment to us all; this government is failing us,” the statement read bluntly.
For GCAG, the refusal to declare a state of emergency just amounts to political expediency in the face of environmental collapse.
Many environmentalists and concerned groups are saying that the stakes are high and existential. The collapsing water systems, poisoned rivers, destroyed farmlands, and looming food insecurity are just a precursor of a bigger calamity ahead.
The refusal to grant a state of emergency, the coalition argues, the President risks emboldening illegal miners while leaving communities to bear the brunt of contaminated water, collapsing livelihoods, and long-term health hazards.
